Paraphrase: (11/25/00)
17 Don't let the fact that room was made for you to become part of the tree of God at the expense of His chosen people go to your head. 18 If you feel prideful in this, remember that you are alive because of the God who is their root, whereas the root lives with or without you. 19 You could point out that parts of natural Israel were disposed of to make room for you, 20 and in that you would be quite right. They were removed for their unbelief, and you were added for your belief, but in this there is no place for pride, but rather fear. 21 For God who does not spare His own chosen nation will neither spare you.
Key Verse: (11/25/00)
11:18 - When pride slips in, remember: "I am a branch in need of the root. The root stands just fine without me."
New Thoughts (11/26/00)
Something struck me, as I was doing the word study portion of this, that is not obvious from any translation I know of. In looking at the interlinear text for verse 11:20, the text they had used inserted a second 'high minded,' so that the end of the verse reads essentially 'you stand not conceited by faith. Be high minded, but fear.' This is an interesting twist, and at first glance suggests that Paul is criticizing the Gentiles for being so humble. Not so. The key is in the multiple shades of meaning in 'conceited,' or 'high-minded.' Surely, God loves the humble. So it cannot be that they are being told to be proud, nor can it be that their current humility is being rebuked. Rather, Paul commends their humility as the right thing, and then encourages them to also set their mind on higher things, to interest themselves in aspiring to things eminent by their holiness. But, the encouragement comes with a warning attached; that in approaching these higher things, awe, reverence, and deference to God's majesty must be maintained. Now, I must confess that this view of verse 20 doesn't fit terribly well with the text it sits in. It seems clear to me that whatever translation they used had modified the structure of the sentence, and apparently not read it through in context. But at the same time the sentiment left in this mistranslation seems to accord with the tenor of Scripture. Surely, we are to set our minds on the higher things that exist in God alone. Surely, we are to come to Him in awe and reverence. We are told to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling. We are told to study to show ourselves approved. What is this, but the same thought in different words? Indeed, Lord, I try in these times of study to keep my mind on Your higher truth. You know better than I what a struggle that can be for me. I try, but all too poorly, to retain that mindset as I leave this study time to go join the 'real' world. Lord, in many ways I see that You truly are my focus and my desire. I also see that I allow so many things to crowd in around us. Not all of these are bad things, but they have largely not been brought into union with us, but rather remain apart. Teach me, Lord, how to make the work You have provided for me to do an integral part of our relationship. I don't understand how to be a godly engineer. It doesn't yet hold a sensible meaning for me, and yet I know it's Your desire. I find myself, more often than not, unable to be what I would consider a godly husband or father, yet I know it's Your desire. Am I too hard on myself? I rather doubt it. More likely, I'm far too lenient. I pray that You would create the change in me, Lord, that will allow me to be what You have desired. Keep my mind on Your higher things as I go about my daily life. Teach me, Lord, how to live constantly mindful that I stand before You in all I do. You always see me. Help me, Father, to always see You.
Just a side thought, but I'd never noticed the parallel to Jeremiah's olive tree in Jesus' actions. In fact, it seems to have escaped unnoticed by His companions as well. They saw Him curse the fruitless tree. They saw it withered days later, and realized the power of the Word of God. Yet the lesson held in that action seems to have slid right on by. I don't know that I've ever heard anybody preach about this connection, either. But there it is. Jeremiah speaks God's word in declaring that the olive tree Israel was going to be struck by God's fire because of its fruitlessness. Jesus cursed the fig tree for its fruitlessness. This parallels with His teaching that God will cut off the fruitless branch and cast it away. It parallels with what Paul is saying here. God's message indeed hasn't changed. The call is to be fruitful. We have been given the definition of fruit, so as not to be confused about what He wants. Does He want us to bring Him converts? Certainly. But I don't think that's what this is about. It's about our own walk with Him. It's about our own conversion. Is the sap of God evident in our daily actions? In our speaking? Are we peaceful, loving, kind, and compassionate? This is the test. And while we may not pass it with straight A's, we have a Gardener who will help the plant He sees struggling to blossom. He will trim away the dead wood, so that the fruitfulness of our more lively branches can increase. He tenderly tends to His garden in hope, knowing our end from the beginning, and doing the delicate surgery necessary to help us towards that end. Father, I thank You. I thank You that You have not left us to scrabble about without instructions, but have rather given us clear means to test ourselves. I thank You that, although we are powerless in ourselves to comply to Your desires, You have not left us powerless, but have rather empowered us by the Holy Spirit within us, teaching us how to desire You, how to please You. I thank You that in Your tender care for me, I can have hope; hope firmly grounded in Your promise, and certain of fulfillment.
